A Way of His Own: A Boy Overcomes Disability and Adversity to Earn Respect for Children

by Thomas A. Dyer

When Shutok’s nomadic family must follow the bison herds for their livelihood, they abandon him, believing and fearing that the bad fortune that has crippled Shutok’s back may spread to them. But Shutok stubbornly follows them across the plains and prairies. Eventually, he can’t keep up and is left to forge his own way in the primitive wilderness of North America. Shutok’s people return in the spring, when a turn of events helps him win their respect and forces them to reconsider their primeval superstitions.

Genres: Historical Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Jacquline Ohmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband met Thomas while working a memory care facility. Thomas's wife gave him a copy of this A Way of His Own. I really liked it! It reminded me of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Shutok can be a butthead at times, but to be fair, that's how it is when you live with chronic pain. I also didn't know jaguars used to live as far north as the Great Plains until I read this.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Incredibly thought-provoking.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Clan of the Cave Bear for young readers.

See full review on my blog.

https://buildinglifelongreaders.blogs...

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another wonderful book by Thomas Dyer. This is story that takes place in an ancient time when the native tribes struggled for survival on this continent. The main character has a physical defect that causes him pain, makes him slow and is looked on with suspicion by the rest of his tribe. After a series of bad, sad and dangerous events, he is left to die. His strong spirit and caring choices transform him and when his tribe returns he is hero who saves them all. A wonderful story, so well told. Again I am so sorry that this author is out of print. I hope you can find a copy.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about a crippled boy in pre-Columbian, Stone Age America whose tribe abandons him as bad luck, and who learns to survive despite his handicap.

[Cws]

JAR5-Dye